May 1, 2009 James' 40th Birthday

James and his best friend, David Atkisson both turned 40 this year within just a couple of weeks of each other. So, the wives began scheming! Connie asked me if I was going to do something for James' birthday, and she was trying to decide what to do for David's. I told her that we'd be there for David's no matter what! She decided on a surprise party.

So, we headed down to Utah for the party. James had spent countless hours coming up with the perfect gift after discovering the rules: create a gift from a memory of David. While James and David were serving on their missions, they wrote back and forth to each other. They would create drawings of outlandish items such as the do it all name tag and the super missionary bike. James drew his inspiration from those letters and created a one of a kind super missionary name tag with blinking lights and speaking commands. It was really awesome! David loved it and then had to come up with something for James that would be just as cool.

I put a spin on James' party since the people coming haven't known James for more than two years. I asked everyone to bring something for him that would help us get to know them better. We also played games to get to know James better.

The name tag.

David was so surprised at his party!

The Birthday boy. What could a 40 year old possibly want for his birthday? Peanut Butter Crunch and BACON!

....and as a gift....a JUMBO bag of m&ms.

Alex was feeling very generous as he gave James his dollar and change that he earned while playing his guitar in the Walmart doorway (until he got kicked out).

The Buska's Gave James a CD of really bad music from 1969

Chelsea's gift was awesome: Kidney beans (she had problems with her kidneys) and a IN Colts Tee shirt since her hubby served his mission in IN.

The Corbett's gave James a toy cow representing the 40 cardboard cows that Doug Corbett placed on Farrah Kays yard the morning of the wedding. (40 Cow Wife)

and David's gift....a 100 watt stereo (or something like that). It was another one of their crazy designs!

The Orms gave James some toy motorcycles since Val rides them and Nancy gave him some nuts.

I gave James a Ronald McDonald Tee shirt.


Although David is highly alergic to cats, he stayed with us anyway. He brought little Emily with him and big Emily was thrilled! It was a great party!